Dene Blakely arrest photo by San Pablo PD.
Held on $1 million bail
By San Pablo Police Department
San Pablo, CA – On Friday, December 8, 2023, at approximately 2:27PM, San Pablo police officers responded to the 1100 block of Broadway Avenue for a reported injury traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. Upon arrival, officers located a 60-year-old female pedestrian (victim) suffering from major injuries. She was transported to a local trauma center and remained in critical condition following surgery. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries on December 23, 2023.
Officers quickly learned that the driver of the vehicle, identified as 39-year-old Dene Blakely (suspect), had been involved in a verbal altercation with the victim regarding theft of packages prior to the collision. The suspect believed to recognize the victim as someone who had previously stolen a package from her residence, and confronted the victim as she walked in the 1100 block of Broadway Avenue. The altercation escalated and resulted in the subsequent collision. Based upon evidence gathered by SPPD officers and investigators, the collision was determined to be an intentional act of assault. Blakely was arrested on scene without incident and was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on a felony charge of Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
On December 12, 2023, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed formal charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, following review of the criminal case. After the victim’s passing, the District Attorney’s Office amended the complaint to include a criminal murder charge. On December 29, 2023, Blakely was arraigned on the amended charges and remains in-custody at the West County Detention Center
This is an active investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the San Pablo Police Department at 510-215-3150.
According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, Blakely is being held on $1 million bail and has a court appearance scheduled for Jan. 30, 2024.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
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